Chapter 402: Dispersing in Haste

The polite words were naturally not taken seriously by Meng Qi and the others. However, this generation’s Human Rankings were indeed outstanding, comparable to the generation of Su Wuming, making it a time of shining stars.

A few years ago, they weren’t particularly noticeable, but now, almost all of the top ten in the Human Rankings have achieved either the state of unity with heaven and earth or possess equivalent combat strength. Behind them are figures like Qinglian Young Master, whose strength is enough to place him among the top ten, though his ranking fluctuates, and Qing Yu, who might reach the top ten within a year. In comparison, Yang He, who has mastered a technique of the Dharma Body, has barely entered the top twenty, lacking the fortune Jiang Zhiwei once had of immediately securing the tenth position upon descending from the mountains.

Of course, when Jiang Zhiwei reached the Six Apertures stage, aside from mastering the Dharma Body technique, her sword cultivation had already reached an extraordinary level, allowing her to create her own ultimate moves. Meng Qi had only recently reached this level.

Mi Zijing let out a hearty laugh beside him: “We’re all young people here; no need to be formal. Please, sit down quickly.”

As he ushered everyone to sit, he instructed the servants to bring tea and snacks. Finally, clapping his hands, he signaled, and music from the corner of the floral hall filled the air, creating a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

“What’s music without dance? I’ve invited a famous sword dancer from Ying City to come and entertain us,” Mi Zijing said, arranging everything meticulously.

Prince Jin, Zhao Yi, laughed and said: “I’ve known Zijing for many years and know he is always meticulous. Whenever there’s a trivial matter, entrusting it to him ensures it will be handled properly.”

“Thank you, cousin, for the compliment,” Mi Zijing replied with a grin.

The two exchanged words seamlessly, revealing their relationship to Meng Qi and the others.

Wang Zai was a promising young man from the esteemed Wang Clan of Zhou Jun, his father being a well-known figure on the Earth Rankings and currently serving as a minister. He was familiar with the relationship between Zhao Yi and the Mi family and quietly explained to Meng Qi and the others: “Zijing’s aunt is now the Emperor’s Noble Consort, who bore one son and one daughter. The son is Prince Jin, and the daughter is Shui Jing Princess, the Emperor’s most beloved daughter.”

So they were relatives of the imperial family… The Six Gates’ information always concealed much regarding royal matters, and only now did Meng Qi understand why Wang Zai had appeared unsurprised earlier.

Yan Chong nodded slightly, not knowing more about court affairs than Meng Qi, given his background from a minor sect and his upbringing among the martial world.

Chu Yunyu slightly restrained his flamboyance and said deliberately: “I have traveled through Jiangdong and the states of Di and Qin, but have always lacked the fortune to visit the capital. Today, meeting the noble people of the capital, I can finally consider this a fulfilled wish.”

He came from a wandering cultivator background; his master was quite famous with a good lineage, but his personality was overly upright, leading to his early demise at the hands of a powerful Left Path expert. Thus, Chu Yunyu did not benefit from his master’s reputation but instead incurred the Left Path’s enmity. His personality and temperament became completely opposite to his master’s—smooth and showy, speaking to people as people and to ghosts as ghosts.

However, personality and temperament have nothing to do with martial cultivation or personal cultivation and spiritual realm. Chu Yunyu’s strength was not to be underestimated, though he preferred not to cause trouble and had few records of battle.

“There’s not much else in the capital, but plenty of aristocratic families, the most skilled martial artists, the most academies, and the most pleasure houses…” Zhao Yi, having received a response, smiled and began introducing the capital with humor, gradually expanding the conversation.

If those on the Human Rankings often love traveling through Jiangdong, then martial experts over the age of thirty-five often prefer entering the capital to seek opportunities.

Facing matters of the royal family and the court, Meng Qi, unusually, did not try to liven the atmosphere or become a central participant in the conversation. He listened quietly, gaining a deeper understanding of the capital’s situation.

Wang Zai, being the son of a top aristocratic family, usually kept his distance from princes without the elders’ approval, so he did not display his sharp observation or broad knowledge, merely occasionally responding with a word or two.

Observing this, Meng Qi pondered thoughtfully. The royal family’s attitude toward aristocratic families seemed to be one of drawing in the first-rate while opposing the top-tier.

However, regardless of the royal family’s stance, Zhao Yi treated Wang Zai quite warmly.

After discussing matters of the capital, Zhao Yi gradually steered the conversation toward the current Xingyun Banquet, holding his teacup and sighing: “Among the top ten of the Human Rankings, the ones I admire most are Young Master Su and Young Master Yan. Others either come from major martial sects or top aristocratic families, never lacking in supreme techniques, weapons, guidance, pills, or sparring partners. Only you two, one from the ‘Hai Chao Sect’ and the other a discarded disciple of Shaolin, relied entirely on your own efforts to seize opportunities, truly serving as role models for our peers.”

That was a fair statement… Meng Qi thought, though he wondered where this placed Wang Zai.

Yan Chong showed a slight smile, clearly quite pleased with the compliment. However, he was not narrow-minded and replied earnestly: “We also shouldn’t underestimate them. The invisible rivalries within major martial sects and top aristocratic families are fiercer than those outside. A slight lapse would allow others to surpass and snatch away opportunities. Moreover, becoming an outstanding figure at the Aperture Opening stage cannot be achieved without personal effort. Everyone has walked through danger and hardship.”

As Zhao Yi was about to speak again, Mi Zijing received a report, clapped his hands, and a group of dancers entered. They were all young women dressed in light, tight-fitting red attire, wielding sharp long swords, blending feminine charm with martial vigor. The leading woman was around twenty years old, with long eyebrows reaching into her hairline and bright phoenix eyes, a rare beauty. She rivaled Mi Ziting in beauty and charm, both possessing the smooth, porcelain-like skin typical of Jiangdong women.

The drumbeats gradually intensified, and the sword dance began. In an instant, swordlight surged like waves, flowing and halting rhythmically, complementing the graceful movements of the dancers, captivating the audience.

Especially the leading woman, her movements were bold, her sword techniques alternating between grand, like western women riding horses across vast plains, and delicate, like Jiangdong girls softly singing. The spectators were entranced.

Her sword dance was exceptional, and she clearly possessed considerable sword skills.

“…A sword dance that stirs the four directions… coming like thunder calming its wrath, ending like rivers and seas condensing pure light…” Zhao Yi seemed very satisfied with this sword dance, clapping rhythmically while reciting ancient poetry in harmony.

Meng Qi was also watching with great interest, his mind wandering to strange thoughts. He wondered what it would be like if Zhiwei were to dance with a sword. Er, if she found out about this thought, he might be forced into a “sparring match.”

The woman’s flow of true energy and changes in techniques were all apparent to Meng Qi and the others, who sensed no danger and thus watched with great enthusiasm.

As the sword dance slowly approached its end, the leading woman danced forward, seemingly intending to present her sword to Zhao Yi as the finale.

Zhao Yi stopped reciting poetry, withdrew his hands, and eagerly awaited the conclusion.

With graceful steps, the woman finally stepped onto the platform, lowered her body, and prepared to present the sword to Zhao Yi with both hands.

Suddenly, Meng Qi sensed an unremarkable “seed” exploding within the woman’s body, her true energy surging forth. Her entire being seemed to transform like a dragon rising from blood or a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. Her aura abruptly changed—coldness concealed within, killing intent refined and condensed, making it difficult to sense the flow of her true energy.

An assassin? Without hesitation, Meng Qi immediately lunged forward, drawing his blade mid-air, its silver-white gleam flashing like lightning, swiftly cleaving toward the woman’s back of the head, attacking the enemy’s flank to relieve the pressure on Zhao Yi.

He did not activate Tian Zhi Shang or launch a distant strike, as doing so would hit both the sword-dancing woman and Zhao Yi due to their proximity.

At the same time, he sensed a powerful blade intent surging from beside him.

Yan Chong and Meng Qi were the first to detect the danger and struck simultaneously with their blades!

The woman ignored the two blades approaching from behind. Her sword sprang forth like a shooting star, aiming directly at Zhao Yi’s throat, her killing intent and sword qi condensed into a single deadly strike—first stunning the opponent’s soul, then taking their life!

The black-hatted attendant beside Zhao Yi was half a beat too slow to prevent the woman’s strike, but his reaction was still swift. With a backward grab through the air, he yanked Zhao Yi sideways, narrowly avoiding the fatal blow.

As the woman prepared to capitalize on her advantage, the two blades arrived—one fast, one fierce—enveloping her vital points, leaving no chance to change her attack.

She spun in place, her sword ringing repeatedly as she deflected the two blades, using the momentum to leap upward, creating a whirlwind in an attempt to escape.

Half-step into the External Scene?

Before Meng Qi could deliver a second strike, he heard a sharp, cold snort from above. The woman in midair suddenly plummeted, crashing heavily to the ground, her soul sealed, and her acupoints blocked.

Only then did Meng Qi notice the black-hatted attendant with one foot planted firmly on the sword-dancing woman.

His speed was so fast that I couldn’t even track him? Meng Qi looked on in slight astonishment, the attendant giving off an aura that was both External Scene and not quite.

“Daring to attempt an assassination in front of me—truly tired of living!” The black-hatted attendant’s right foot harshly “rubbed” against the sword-dancing woman, his face twisted with furious rage.

So he was a palace expert, but how many years of cultivation he had, Meng Qi couldn’t tell.

Zhao Yi’s body trembled slightly before quickly regaining his composure. He stepped forward enthusiastically, addressing Meng Qi and Yan Chong: “Thanks to the two young heroes for detecting the danger in time and blocking the attack. Otherwise, I might have perished here today. I won’t express my gratitude with words; from now on, your matters are my matters!”

Before Meng Qi and Yan Chong could modestly respond, Mi Zijing rushed over, his face filled with embarrassment, repeatedly apologizing: “I was deceived by this vile wench. Please, Your Highness, punish me!”

Zhao Yi waved his hand dismissively: “Even I did not sense it. You cannot be blamed.”

Turning to the black-hatted attendant, he ordered: “Master Feng, take this woman away and ‘entertain’ her properly. Find out who dares to orchestrate such audacity!”

After speaking, he looked at Meng Qi and the others with a sigh: “With this incident occurring, it’s impossible to continue the banquet in good spirits. I’ve ruined your refined gathering, and I’m truly sorry. Sigh, since the Crown Prince became immersed in Buddhist scriptures and devoted himself to Buddhism, repeatedly scolded by the Emperor, the capital has been in turmoil. Originally, I just wanted to go out for some fresh air, but I never expected to still be caught in the whirlpool.”

Mi Zijing cautiously said: “Just this afternoon, news arrived that the Crown Prince has also arrived in Ying City and is staying at Puxian Hall.”

“Is that so?” Zhao Yi’s expression turned grave.

As for the royal family’s internal strife, Meng Qi kept his eyes lowered, maintaining a composed demeanor and remained silent, merely slightly surprised. Although the Xingyun Banquet was sensational, it shouldn’t have drawn the Crown Prince’s attention, should it?

The banquet ended hastily, but having saved his life, Zhao Yi seemed much closer to Yan Chong, Meng Qi, and the others.

“Brother Su, what do you think about this incident?” Wang Zai accompanied Meng Qi to the door and asked in a hushed voice.

Meng Qi slightly furrowed his brow: “It was neither high nor low.”

Wang Zai immediately understood and nodded: “My younger brother also finds it strange. Assassination should either be a thunderous strike with absolute strength to complete the mission instantly and then retreat, or not be attempted at all. The female assassin just now, although formidable, barely reached the level required to accomplish her task. Could it be that they hesitated to send someone at the External Scene level, fearing pursuit and elimination by the Mi and Bai families if the mission failed?”

“Without understanding the capital’s affairs, it’s hard to make guesses,” Meng Qi said without much insight.

Suddenly, he recalled something and turned back to Wang Zai: “Oh, I’m not in a hurry to leave. I need to ask Brother Zijing for help with something.”